Modification of woody biomass using genome editing technology.
Life (Saitama University Research Seed Collection 2025-25 p.129)
Keywords: Plants, Biomass, Genes, Genome Editing, Substance Production
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to grow, serving as biomass that contributes to decarbonization. A portion of the absorbed carbon dioxide is utilized in the cell walls. In the xylem, which is composed of vessel elements and fiber cells, a thickened secondary cell wall is formed inside the normal cell wall. Since the majority of the biomass of trees, which have the largest biomass above ground, consists of xylem, it can be said that the secondary cell wall is the substance of tree biomass. Furthermore, the secondary cell wall is primarily composed of polymer compounds such as cellulose and lignin, which are also attracting attention as materials for bioethanol and biopolymers. The formation of the secondary cell wall involves many genes. We have identified key genes that control the entire process of secondary cell wall formation and have elucidated their molecular functions. Utilizing the insights gained, we are also working on creating useful plants for lignocellulosic biomass utilization by employing genome editing technologies to modify specific gene information.
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Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Associate Professor Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Material Science, Material Function Area 【Recent Research Themes】 ● Identification of chemical structures that produce functional differentiation of secondary cell wall master factor groups ● Mechanisms of expression that regulate secondary cell wall master factors ● Elucidation of gene expression mechanisms induced during leaf aging processes ● Enhancement of growth functions in plants with high accumulation of useful substances through genetic modification
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【Appeal Points to the Industry】 ● Identification of numerous genes involved in cell wall formation ● Efficiently identifying protein structures and DNA sequences important for function by conducting structural predictions and functional analyses through simulation analysis in parallel ● Research on leaf senescence, substance production, and metabolic modifications, in addition to secondary cell wall formation ● Track record of patent applications 【Examples of Practical Applications and Utilization】 ● Development of an artificial induction system for secondary cell walls ● Development of plants with reduced quantitative traits of secondary cell walls in fiber cells ● Creation of plants with modified physical strength using genome editing technology ● Creation of plants with altered accumulation of metabolites
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Cross-section of the stem of white dog’s tooth (Shiroi Unazuna).
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The Saitama University Open Innovation Center is a center that functions as a liaison office for industry-academia-government collaboration. It consists of three departments: the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Department, the Intellectual Property Department, and the Startup Support Department, each staffed with coordinators well-versed in various fields. The center's activities include solving technical challenges in companies, supporting the implementation of joint research, and conducting technology transfer aimed at introducing and utilizing Saitama University's intellectual property.